live
8 synonyms and 8 antonyms for live, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To be alive; to have life.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use live
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English libban/lifian, "to live, be alive," a very old Germanic word related to leben in German and leven in Dutch.
Full origin of live →Frequently asked questions
What does “live” mean?
The word “live” means to be alive; to have life. In plain terms, being alive, residing somewhere, or (as an adjective) currently active/happening in real time.
How do you pronounce “live”?
“Live” is pronounced LIHV (/ˈlɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “live” in a sentence?
Here is “live” used in a sentence: “Some tortoises live for over 150 years.”
What is another word for “live”?
Words with a similar meaning to “live” include dwell, last, remain and alive.
What is the opposite of “live”?
The opposite of “live” — its antonyms — are dead, blank, dummy, neutral and recorded.
What part of speech is “live”?
Depending on how it is used, “live” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “live” come from?
The word “live” comes from Old English. From Old English libban/lifian, "to live, be alive," a very old Germanic word related to leben in German and leven in Dutch.
Is “live” a common word?
“Live” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'live' and 'alive'?
'Live' is a verb — an action or state meaning to have life, as in 'plants live and grow.' 'Alive' is an adjective describing that same state, as in 'the plant is alive.' You live, the verb, because you are alive, the adjective. One does the work of a verb, the other of a description.
What is the difference between 'live' and 'life'?
'Live' is a verb — the action of having life, as in 'we live each day to the full.' 'Life' is a noun — the state of being alive, or the span during which one is alive, as in 'a long life.' You live your life: the verb is the doing, the noun is the thing done.
Why does the verb 'live' have two meanings?
As a verb, 'live' can mean to be alive ('she lived to ninety') or to reside somewhere ('they live in Rome'). The spelling is identical, so context separates them. Note too that the verb 'live' rhymes with 'give,' while the unrelated adjective 'live,' as in a live show, rhymes with 'hive.'
What is the opposite of 'live'?
As a verb meaning to be alive, the opposite is to 'die' — to stop living — or to be 'dead.' 'Perish' is a stronger word for the same idea. When 'live' instead means to reside somewhere, there is no true opposite; you would simply move away or leave.